SWEETHEART won well at Goodwood last time out and is taken to defy a five pound hike in the weights with both Doubly Guest and Sphere worthy of mention. The selection is a high classed hurdler on her day and was not beaten far behind United at Ascot during the winter. She won well on her return to the flat last time out and if she can reproduce that same level of form she will not be too far away. Doubly Guest is another mare that has decent hurdle form to her name. She did however refuse to race at Aintree last time out showing a bad attitude in the process. She comes from a yard that do well in these types of races and she is one to note in the betting market on her return to the flat. Sphere is a lightly raced filly who has yet to recapture her form this season. She ran well to finished second twice in similar races last season but her two runs this year have not seen her at her best so she is best watched for the time being. Sweetheart comes into the race in flying form and is given the vote to win again.
Sweetheart 7-1 (8-8) Chased leaders in 4th, pushed along 3f out, driven along 2f out, stayed on to lead 1f out, edged left and in command final furlong, won at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May beating Cleaver (9-9) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Doubly Guest 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division, smooth headway to lead over 2f out, clear entering final furlong, eased towards finish, won at Bath 2m 1f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Oct '07 beating Last Flight (9-7) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Sphere (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Close up, chased winner 10f out, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 7, 4l behind Al Azy (7-11) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Swordsman (GER) (8-9) 10th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Bussoni (9-0) at Germany(GER) 2m stk gd in May '07.
Epsom Salts 33-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, pushed along 3f out, no extra final 2f, 7th of 9, 7l behind Sweetheart (8-8) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.
Tribe 4-1fav (9-5) Held up well in rear, headway 2f out, beaten when hampered well inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Pseudonym (9-4) at Bath 2m 1f hcap (5) gf in Sep.
Faith And Reason (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 6th of 7, 5l behind Al Azy (7-11) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Eastwell Smiles 20-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 12, 7l behind Isabelonabicycle (8-13) at Folkestone 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.
Synonymy 20-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, no chance final 3f, 8th of 11, 22l behind Zuwaar (9-5) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Black Cloud 50-1 (8-2) Held up in rear, struggling final 3f, last of 13, 23l behind Granary Girl (8-6) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Jun '08.
